Submitting Institution: Aston University

REF impact found 24 Case Studies

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Summary of the impact

Using advanced mathematics and numerical modelling we have demonstrated
how fundamental understanding of laminar-turbulent transitions in fluid
flows can save energy. From 2008 we helped the cleantech company, Maxsys
Fuel Systems Ltd, to understand and improve their technology and
demonstrate to customers how it can reduce fuel use by 5-8%. Customers
including Ford Motor, Dow Chemical and Findus testify to the impact from
financial savings and reduced carbon emissions obtained by installing
Maxsys products on industrial burners used widely in many industrial
sectors including automotive, bulk chemicals and food. In 2010, Selas Heat
Technology Company bought the Maxsys brand to invest in this success.

Submitting Institution

Aston University

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

Increased understanding of how a member state can influence the EU
created two kinds of impacts: changing thinking, understanding and
awareness (e.g. HM Treasury); and changing strategy and policy (e.g. EU
Committee of Regions). Impacts were generated between 2008 and 2012 on the
Polish Government, the Swedish International Development Agency, the US
Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, civil servants in Ukraine,
Russia and the UK, the European think tank community, the Labour Party and
the EU's Committee of the Regions. Impact was generated through
consultancies to public bodies and by providing advice to governments,
international organisations and the private sector.

Submitting Institution

Aston University

Unit of Assessment

Area Studies

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services: Business and ManagementStudies In Human Society: Policy and Administration, Political Science

Summary of the impact

Research in Aston University on developing effective practices in
teaching English to young learners (TEYL) has achieved the following key
impacts:

Findings from the research have informed international policy
discussions on TEYL. For example, the TESOL-Italy mission statement on
TEYL includes recommendations derived from the findings (TESOL =
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

The research project led to the publication of a book of teaching
resources for primary school teachers distributed globally by the
British Council. This book is used by both primary school teachers
around the world and teacher educators in the UK.

Summary Impact Type

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

Research carried out at the Centre for Forensic Linguistics (CFL)
at Aston has achieved the following significant impacts:

Casework: Reports for forensic investigations, and provision of
opinion and evidence for police investigations, criminal trials and
civil proceedings, have all contributed to verdicts of guilt or
innocence and to judgements in civil and appeal Courts.

Policy development and training: Research findings have changed police
practice in interviewing witnesses and suspects, and specifically in
cases where there is an interpreted interview. Changes to Greater
Manchester Police's (GMP) taking of non-native English speaker witness
statements represents a significant, concrete example.

Submitting Institution

Aston University

Unit of Assessment

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Summary Impact Type

Legal

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

Visual analytics is a powerful method for understanding large and complex
datasets that makes information accessible to non-statistically trained
users. The Non-linearity and Complexity Research Group (NCRG) developed
several fundamental algorithms and brought them to users by developing
interactive software tools (e.g. Netlab pattern analysis toolbox in 2002
(more than 40,000 downloads), Data Visualisation and Modelling System
(DVMS) in 2012).

Industrial products. These software tools are used by industrial
partners (Pfizer, Dstl) in their business activities. The algorithms have
been integrated into a commercial tool (p:IGI) used in geochemical
analysis for oil and gas exploration with a 60% share of the worldwide
market.

Improving business performance. As an enabling technology, visual
analytics has played an important role in the data analysis that has led
to the development of new products, such as the Body Volume Index, and the
enhancement of existing products (Wheelright: automated vehicle tyre
pressure measurement).

Impact on practitioners. The software is used to educate and train
skilled people internationally in more than 6 different institutions and
is also used by finance professionals.

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

Aston University researchers developed and maintain the Uncertainty
Markup Language (UncertML) for quantitative specification and
interoperable communication of uncertainty measures in the Web. It is the
only complete mechanism for representation of uncertainty in a web
context. UncertML has been:

- Used in policy and decision making by UK (Food and Environment Research
Agency) and international (European Commission) government agencies, and
many research / industrial institutes;

- Presented at industrial /technical workshops, leading to ongoing
international collaborations with bodies such as national space agencies
(ESA and NASA) and government data providers;

- Accepted as a discussion paper for formal standardisation by the Open
Geospatial Consortium;

- Chosen by independent data providers for efficient sharing of complex
information and rigorous risk analysis across scientific domains such as
pharmacy, global soil mapping and air quality.

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

The impact we describe arose from research led by Professor Brian Tighe
between 1998 and 2013 involving research students and fellows of Aston
Biomaterials Research Unit (BRU). We proposed [3.1] that responsive
polymers modelled on nature's macromolecules would be required for
successful synthesis of biomaterials analogues of natural systems. This
led to health and economic impacts in the area of vision care,
specifically: a commercially successful family of daily disposable
contact lenses (current annual sales > 2 billion lenses), which use
blink-activated release of hydrophilic macromolecules from contact
lenses to mimic aspects of the corneal surface thereby enhancing ocular
comfort.

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

The impacts from over 20 years bioenergy research at Aston University,
have been through influence and support for businesses to generate and use
environmentally advantageous sources of power, fuels and chemicals. Pilot
scale systems that exploit pyrolysis and gasification of biomass residues
and renewable feed-stocks are operational. The EU, UK and local
governments have developed policies with the Unit's advice on the
potential of bioenergy for power generation and waste reduction. Technical
and business advice have been provided, a new company formed, investments
made in new business directions by SMEs and large multinational companies.
This has generated new employment opportunities in consultancy, design and
manufacture of systems, social and environmental benefits, along with
greater public awareness.

Research Subject Area(s)

Summary of the impact

Statutory regulators from Great Britain and Ireland commissioned
Professors Keith Wilson and Christopher Langley to undertake research at
Aston University to establish an evidence-base for pharmacy educational
reform. These systematic evaluations, conducted between 2003 and 2010,
have redefined pharmacy education in Great Britain and Ireland, notably
resulting in a re-focus on patient need. Arising from the influence of
Aston research, the following impacts on policy, practitioners and
services resulted in;

An evidence-base for pharmacy educational reform in Great Britain.

A revised national government policy in the development of pharmacy
workforce capability.

A restructuring of pharmacy education policy and guidelines in
Ireland.

Summary of the impact

Research into healthcare associated infections (HAI) at Aston University
is led by Professor
Lambert, Dr Worthington and Professor Hilton. New strategies to prevent
and reduce HAI through
a cleaner healthcare environment (antimicrobial surfaces and disinfection)
and improved pre-surgical
skin antisepsis have been founded on Aston's research in this field since
2007. This work
has delivered significant impact on commerce, health and welfare and
policy by:

Influencing practice within the healthcare setting and sales of copper
surfaces.

Influencing policy changes within healthcare.

Prevention of infection rates and improved patient health within the
clinical setting.

Improving product awareness and licencing within the commercial
sector.